The Maniculum Podcast
The Maniculum Podcast

The Maniculum Podcast

The Maniculum Podcast

Overview
Episodes

Details

Maniculum: little hand, pointing finger; often found in manuscript marginalia. Hi! We’re Mac and Zoe, a professional medievalist and triple AAA game developer, and together, we use modern game design techniques to uncover the origins of your favorite tropes and adventures from medieval manuscripts. ​ In each episode, we explore a new medieval manuscript, its connections to modern TTRPGs, and teach you how to adapt these tales into compelling campaigns and amazing adventures. Whether you’re looking to recreate the noble Arthurian tales or incorporate weird and wacky medieval monsters into your campaign, the Maniculum Podcast has you covered.

Recent Episodes

The Prince and the Prostitute: Prokopios, Pt. 4
APR 27, 2024
The Prince and the Prostitute: Prokopios, Pt. 4
<p>This week, we're delving into Empress Theodora's early life and rise to power as empress of the Byzantine era. From her breathtaking performances as a prostitute to her love-at-first-sight romance with Justinian as a young guard, we gather that Theodora was one hell of a woman, regardless of Prokopios' distaste for her.</p> <p><strong>Check out our <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/themaniculumpodcast/marginal-worlds-magic-item-expansion-pack?ref=avxgo8" rel="nofollow">Kickstarter</a>!</strong></p> <p><strong>Also, check out Gals and Goblins podcast <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/1lhVsJzg2DZ9zoLH2Zwerx?si=XCqzkxBKSLe1sezkRy0cJw" rel="nofollow">here</a>, and check out their TikTok and other cool content <a href="https://linktr.ee/galsandgoblins" rel="nofollow">here</a>!</strong> They've been gracious enough to share the pod and Kickstarter with their audience, and we're sharing the love - their actual play is goofy, lighthearted, and fun to listen to on commutes, in the kitchen, or while pruning your garden of poisonous plants you're planing to use to poison your evil overlord. </p> <p>Join our <a href="https://discord.gg/ng7ufQRRbJ" rel="nofollow">discord</a> community! Check out our <a href="https://maniculum.tumblr.com/" rel="nofollow">Tumblr</a> for even more! Support us on <a href="http://patreon.com/themaniculumpodcast" rel="nofollow">patreon</a>! Check out our <a href="https://www.redbubble.com/people/themaniculum/shop" rel="nofollow">merch</a>!</p> <p><a href="https://maniculum.tumblr.com/bestiaryposting?fbclid=IwAR3cyimHAK_r6lwL40drlgi5zlg9kfOPMXqw_Aw0ylAN6lofF-hM6sG10BA" rel="nofollow">The Beastiary Challenge!</a></p> <p>Socials: <a href="https://maniculum.tumblr.com/" rel="nofollow">Tumblr</a> <a href="https://www.themaniculumpodcast.com/" rel="nofollow">Website</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/maniculum" rel="nofollow">Twitter</a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/maniculumpodcast/" rel="nofollow">Instagram</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/maniculum" rel="nofollow">Facebook</a></p> <p>Citations &amp; References:</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://archive.org/details/procopius0000proc/page/n9/mode/2up" rel="nofollow">The Secret History</a> and another <a href="https://hackettpublishing.com/history/ancient-history/the-secret-history" rel="nofollow">version</a></li> </ul>
play-circle
83 MIN
Huzzah! The TTRPG Quest Tournament
APR 13, 2024
Huzzah! The TTRPG Quest Tournament
<p>It's our 100th episode! Come celebrate with us as we host our second tournament - Mac and I compete with each other to see who has the best approach to listener submitted quests, with parties compiled of the characters we've collected from each episode.</p> <p>Special thanks to all the listeners who submitted quest ideas and questions for us to answer!</p> <p>WHO WON? VOTE <a href="https://forms.gle/5iW5MZEiuAxzrrCKA" rel="nofollow">HERE</a>!</p> <p>Check out our <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/themaniculumpodcast/marginal-worlds-magic-item-expansion-pack?ref=avxgo8" rel="nofollow">Kickstarter</a>!</p> <p>Join our <a href="https://discord.gg/ng7ufQRRbJ" rel="nofollow">discord</a> community! Check out our <a href="https://maniculum.tumblr.com/" rel="nofollow">Tumblr</a> for even more! Support us on <a href="http://patreon.com/themaniculumpodcast" rel="nofollow">patreon</a>! Check out our <a href="https://www.redbubble.com/people/themaniculum/shop" rel="nofollow">merch</a>!</p> <p><a href="https://maniculum.tumblr.com/bestiaryposting?fbclid=IwAR3cyimHAK_r6lwL40drlgi5zlg9kfOPMXqw_Aw0ylAN6lofF-hM6sG10BA" rel="nofollow">The Beastiary Challenge!</a> (&lt;-- Don't miss it!)</p> <p>Socials: <a href="https://maniculum.tumblr.com/" rel="nofollow">Tumblr</a> <a href="https://www.themaniculumpodcast.com/" rel="nofollow">Website</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/maniculum" rel="nofollow">Twitter</a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/maniculumpodcast/" rel="nofollow">Instagram</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/maniculum" rel="nofollow">Facebook</a></p> <p>Citations &amp; References:</p> <ul> <li>Ulrich, Laurel Thatcher. “Vertuous Women Found: New England Ministerial Literature, 1668-1735.” American Quarterly, vol. 28, no. 1, 1976, pp. 20–40.</li> <li>Richard Keikhefer, Magic in the Middle Ages &amp; Forbidden Rites - find both <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Books-Richard-Kieckhefer/s?rh=n%3A283155%2Cp_27%3ARichard+Kieckhefer" rel="nofollow">here</a>!</li> <li>Bailey, Michael D. ‘The Disenchantment of Magic: Spells, Charms, and Superstition in Early European Witchcraft Literature.’ <em>The American Historical Review</em>, Vol 111, No. 2. April 2006. pp. 383-404.</li> <li>—. ‘The Age of Magicians: Periodization in the History of European Magic.’ <em>Magic, Ritual, and Witchcraft,</em> Vol. 3. University of Pennsylvania Press, 2008. pp. 1-28.</li> <li>—. ‘The Disenchantment of Magic: Spells, Charms, and Superstition in Early European Witchcraft Literature.’ <em>The American Historical Review</em>, Vol. 111, No. 2. University of Pennsylvania Press, April 2006. pp. 383-404.</li> </ul>
play-circle
136 MIN
All Hail the King of Sports: The Nika Riots, Prokopios Pt. 3
MAR 2, 2024
All Hail the King of Sports: The Nika Riots, Prokopios Pt. 3
<p>Looking for a new political-intrigue campaign, but on't want to compromise on combat and craziness? Join us this week as we explore the Nika riots, where sports fans create a gang war that nearly brings down the Byzantine empire. With unique faction styles, a political coup, and a pretender emperor, the Nika riots are the perfect ground for a successful city-wide campaign or one-shot!</p> <p><strong>Check out the Kickstarter <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/themaniculumpodcast/marginal-worlds-magic-item-expansion-pack?ref=avxgo8" rel="nofollow">here</a>!</strong></p> <p><a href="https://maniculum.tumblr.com/bestiaryposting?fbclid=IwAR3cyimHAK_r6lwL40drlgi5zlg9kfOPMXqw_Aw0ylAN6lofF-hM6sG10BA" rel="nofollow">The Beastiary Challenge!</a> (&lt;-- Don't miss it!)</p> <p>Join our <a href="https://discord.gg/ng7ufQRRbJ" rel="nofollow">discord</a> community! Check out our <a href="https://maniculum.tumblr.com/" rel="nofollow">Tumblr</a> for even more! Support us on <a href="http://patreon.com/themaniculumpodcast" rel="nofollow">patreon</a>! Check out our <a href="https://www.redbubble.com/people/themaniculum/shop" rel="nofollow">merch</a>!</p> <p>Socials: <a href="https://maniculum.tumblr.com/" rel="nofollow">Tumblr</a> <a href="https://www.themaniculumpodcast.com/" rel="nofollow">Website</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/maniculum" rel="nofollow">Twitter</a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/maniculumpodcast/" rel="nofollow">Instagram</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/maniculum" rel="nofollow">Facebook</a></p> <p>Citations &amp; References:</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://archive.org/details/procopius0000proc/page/n9/mode/2up" rel="nofollow">The Secret History</a> and another <a href="https://hackettpublishing.com/history/ancient-history/the-secret-history" rel="nofollow">version</a></li> <li>Check out the <a href="https://preview.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/205698/burgs-bailiffs-trinity-the-poor-pilgrim-s-almanack" rel="nofollow">Burgs &amp;amp; Baliffs Poor Pilgrim&amp;#x27;s Almanack</a>!</li> <li>Check out the TTRPG indie publisher <a href="https://shop.lostpages.co.uk" rel="nofollow">Lost Pages</a>!</li> </ul>
play-circle
108 MIN